Traded #25: Jake Stringer - 📦 Traded to GWS for Pick #53 - 16/10

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25 - stringer.jpg
Contract Status: Out of contract 2024
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 19, Harlequin
 
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Bombermania said:
a quick straw poll.

Which signing is most important?

1.Stringer
2.Merrett
3.Parish
Click to expand...

You could argue each is equally important for very different reasons, but for the sake of the question I'll say Merrett. Hard not to think those 6 years were a factor in locking the others down.
 
Bombermania said:
a quick straw poll.

Which signing is most important?

1.Stringer
2.Merrett
3.Parish
Click to expand...
Don't see the obsession that things always have to be judged best this, best that these days.

All three equally important for DIFFERENT reasons

Stringer: At his best, one of the best in the league. We rarely lose when he plays well. Genuine X factor.

Merrett: Mr reliable. Uses the ball well, rarely wastes a possession. Sets standards & future captain IMO. Relishing leadership role that should have never have been taken off him.

Parish: Remarkable breakout season. Now elite level that we have always seen glimpses of. Clearance beast. Reads the fall of the ball quicker than most & lightning fast hands brings others into the game. Fitness means he gets to most contests & demands lots of midfield time.
 

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This is an awesome interview with Stringer. Highlights how important Caracella is - love that it was Caracella who pushed him, he was my favourite Essendon player in the 2000 side (bloody hurt when he left).

www.essendonfc.com.au

Youth, Caracella's challenge fuel Stringer's success

Newly re-signed forward Jake Stringer says the club's youth and a pre-season challenge from Blake Caracella have been driving forces behind his career-best form.
www.essendonfc.com.au www.essendonfc.com.au
 
Petrify said:
This is an awesome interview with Stringer. Highlights how important Caracella is - love that it was Caracella who pushed him, he was my favourite Essendon player in the 2000 side (bloody hurt when he left).

www.essendonfc.com.au

Youth, Caracella's challenge fuel Stringer's success

Newly re-signed forward Jake Stringer says the club's youth and a pre-season challenge from Blake Caracella have been driving forces behind his career-best form.
www.essendonfc.com.au www.essendonfc.com.au
Click to expand...

Yep, big love for Caracella from me as well. Loved the way he played.
 
Yep, thats his style and thats why we love him. He leads in his own way. He's matured and he's now realised how much influence he has on the younger players and how important he is to the team. His best footy is still ahead of him and i think it will correlate with the teams performence. So glad he plays for us.
 
Petrify said:
This is an awesome interview with Stringer. Highlights how important Caracella is - love that it was Caracella who pushed him, he was my favourite Essendon player in the 2000 side (bloody hurt when he left).

www.essendonfc.com.au

Youth, Caracella's challenge fuel Stringer's success

Newly re-signed forward Jake Stringer says the club's youth and a pre-season challenge from Blake Caracella have been driving forces behind his career-best form.
www.essendonfc.com.au www.essendonfc.com.au
Click to expand...
So, Blake told him to get fit. I think most of us here were saying that through the back half of last year. I love Caracella too, but not exactly rocket science. Probably, more of a maturity thing and maybe a closer bond between a coach and player to get his mind in the right place.
 

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Ati Tude said:
So, Blake told him to get fit. I think most of us here were saying that through the back half of last year. I love Caracella too, but not exactly rocket science. Probably, more of a maturity thing and maybe a closer bond between a coach and player to get his mind in the right place.
Click to expand...

FlyingV said:
Great interview, but I am absolutely Gobsmacked it took until last year for someone to tell stringer to get his conditioning right because we want him to play mid.

Wtf woosha, wtf.
Click to expand...

Probably been told it plenty of times. But getting the message to stick is the art of coaching.
 
Ati Tude said:
So, Blake told him to get fit. I think most of us here were saying that through the back half of last year. I love Caracella too, but not exactly rocket science. Probably, more of a maturity thing and maybe a closer bond between a coach and player to get his mind in the right place.
Click to expand...

It's not about the message itself but about communicating it in a way that got through and a meaningful effect on him.

My instinct suggests that early on it came too easily to Jake. He seems to have taken a more refined approach to this year and its paying off.
 
Was never going anywhere, really energised by the young group. Never crossed his mind that he would go anywhere else. Last year were really building something but not getting the results on the field, and when Rutten took the reins it was a new start for everyone, 3/4 of the defence were playing forward with Jake last year, so Rutten's put a lot of trust in people to play different positions and they've taken it with both hands and having break out seasons.

About his form, he didn't lose faith that he could get back to how he was when he was performing really well a few years ago. Not sure if he was really enjoying his footy before, he thought he was at the time but looking back not sure. Having Rutten come in has been a fresh start and really believing in him has changed things.

Rutten and Caracella gave him the opportunity to play more midfield. Cara challenged him in the hub last year over a few beers to have a big preseason and if he can get in good shape he'll get a run in the midfield. He needed to be more aerobic to do that so apparently he went and employed someone called Jack Kelly from Ballarat to make a running program for him, so 12 weeks over the preseason was doing that running program :)

Also touched on maturity and how he's learned to get the best out of himself and what he needs to do. Feels like more of a leader at the club in the last 12 months. Not interested in doing the formal leadership stuff, doesn't want to be in the leadership group, but he leads by example and he'll do anything to help the boys if they need it, helping out the young kids.

Asked about Draper, not surprised, he worked really hard, massive pre-season, shattered when he had that syndesmosis but he came back in shape and loves working with him at the centre bounce, get some really nice taps from him and it makes his life easier.

Still need to beat the good teams, not quite there yet but great belief in the performance and the effort they've been putting in against top teams and they'll get one soon. It's really exciting and putting a lot of work in but not at the top of the tree and won't be for a little while yet.

They also asked him if he they gave him the whiteboard and the magnet, where would he put it? Answer: Anywhere that's not in the defensive 50.

www.essendonfc.com.au

ICYMI | Stringer on SEN

Forward Jake Stringer's appearance on SEN from Thursday July 22.
www.essendonfc.com.au www.essendonfc.com.au

www.essendonfc.com.au

ICYMI | Stringer on RSN

Forward Jake Stringer's appearance on RSN from Thursday July 22.
www.essendonfc.com.au www.essendonfc.com.au
 
Lore said:
Was never going anywhere, really energised by the young group. Never crossed his mind that he would go anywhere else. Last year were really building something but not getting the results on the field, and when Rutten took the reins it was a new start for everyone, 3/4 of the defence were playing forward with Jake last year, so Rutten's put a lot of trust in people to play different positions and they've taken it with both hands and having break out seasons.

About his form, he didn't lose faith that he could get back to how he was when he was performing really well a few years ago. Not sure if he was really enjoying his footy before, he thought he was at the time but looking back not sure. Having Rutten come in has been a fresh start and really believing in him has changed things.

Rutten and Caracella gave him the opportunity to play more midfield. Cara challenged him in the hub last year over a few beers to have a big preseason and if he can get in good shape he'll get a run in the midfield. He needed to be more aerobic to do that so apparently he went and employed someone called Jack Kelly from Ballarat to make a running program for him, so 12 weeks over the preseason was doing that running program :)

Also touched on maturity and how he's learned to get the best out of himself and what he needs to do. Feels like more of a leader at the club in the last 12 months. Not interested in doing the formal leadership stuff, doesn't want to be in the leadership group, but he leads by example and he'll do anything to help the boys if they need it, helping out the young kids.

Asked about Draper, not surprised, he worked really hard, massive pre-season, shattered when he had that syndesmosis but he came back in shape and loves working with him at the centre bounce, get some really nice taps from him and it makes his life easier.

Still need to beat the good teams, not quite there yet but great belief in the performance and the effort they've been putting in against top teams and they'll get one soon. It's really exciting and putting a lot of work in but not at the top of the tree and won't be for a little while yet.

They also asked him if he they gave him the whiteboard and the magnet, where would he put it? Answer: Anywhere that's not in the defensive 50.

www.essendonfc.com.au

ICYMI | Stringer on SEN

Forward Jake Stringer's appearance on SEN from Thursday July 22.
www.essendonfc.com.au www.essendonfc.com.au

www.essendonfc.com.au

ICYMI | Stringer on RSN

Forward Jake Stringer's appearance on RSN from Thursday July 22.
www.essendonfc.com.au www.essendonfc.com.au
Click to expand...
Very weird comment by Garry Lyon there at the end about “our very thin finals chance”….does he realise we’re currently in the eight atm?
 
Hey Dons fans,

In case you missed it, we did a big feature on Jake Stringer this week (right before he resigned!).

Let us know what you think. If you want to read the full article - https://footytalkingpoints.com.au/2021/07/23/ftp-18/

Please subscribe to our blog if you enjoyed this analysis!




I’ve found myself asking this question a number of times in the past couple of days resulting in a mixture of bewilderment and disbelief. Are we sure Jake Stringer isn’t a top 20 AFL player in the 2021 AFL season? It’s almost ridiculous to even write it but it may be more plausible than first thought. Let’s discuss...



Excluding his 2015 All Australian year, Jake Stringer (#9) is having a career year. He’s averaging 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50’s, 6.5 score involvements and 2 goals a game (13[SUB]th[/SUB] in the AFL for goals per game). No other player is averaging 15+ disposals, 5 inside 50’s and +2 goals a game or is even remotely close outside of Toby Greene. Since round 14 , Stringer has been the second highest rated player at Essendon. And it’s easy to see why. In that span, he has averaged 23.6 disposals, 7.4 inside 50’s and 2.6 goals. These are incredible offensive numbers. He has pivoted from his roaming forward role to taking on more responsibility in the midfield due to the absence of Shiel, McGrath and Caldwell. And he’s excelled in his new role. He’s averaging 4+ more disposals this year than his career average. He has a clear presence in the middle and is so dynamic with his mix of speed and size that he is difficult to match up on.

Stringer is a burst player in every sense of the word. Not just in relation to his speed but his actual play style.

Just in the last couple of weeks, Stringer amasses the first 4 clearances of the game against North and then kicks 4 goals in 25 minutes later on. Against Geelong, he kicks the first two goals of the game. You get the picture.

His finishing skill on the run makes him one of the best in the league. He doesn’t need much time to finish around goals. Stringer barely grabs this ball before it’s on his foot yet he still flushes it with ease.




The unique combination of speed, strength and skill means Stringer’s a threat anywhere on the ground. It’s easy to see how he averages 4.2 goal attempts a game (rated elite in the AFL) when you see him do things like this. How many other players can kick this goal? 4-5? If that.





It’s no secret that the key reason for Stringer’s ascension has been his improved fitness. That hasn’t necessarily coincided with an improved work rate or defensive effort around the ball but more so his aerobic capacity contest to contest. He can now play significant midfield minutes without blowing up later in games. Perfect example against North Melbourne. Stringer kicks those four goals in the space of 25 minutes even though he played heavy midfield minutes throughout the game. The old Stringer would have ran out of gas at 3 quarter time.

He’s just as much of a mismatch as a forward than a midfielder. Like most of the best AFL players (and certainly top midfielders), Stringer can impact the game both at ground level and in the air (although his marking numbers in all facets have decreased from his career averages). He’s too strong for a small defender but far too explosive and quick at ground level for a tall. There’s only so many Nick Vlaustin type defenders running around…


But yes, you’d think he’s the best player in the AFL based on this description. Well, there’s other things about Stringer’s game.

He has clear deficiencies. He wouldn’t be so polarising as a player if he didn’t. Stringer has been viewed as quite lazy by the media. Whilst I won’t go that far – he’s undoubtedly a one effort player when you watch the film. He’s great at getting on the move around stoppages but if his first effort doesn’t result in a disposal or a knock on that leads to an eventual disposal, that’s usually it. He picks and chooses when to provide defensive pressure. Very rarely do you see multiple defensive efforts from Stringer. Around stoppages he can hurt Essendon because he ball hunts and fails to provide coverage out the back of stoppages. He looks to be a ball hunter in areas that expose stoppage exits (he usually comes from the front of the stoppage but can get sucked in to the contest whilst an opposition on-ball wingmen holds their space).

Here, Stringer’s ball watching allows Oliver to cut around the back and through the front of the stoppage.




Stringer can be a down hill skier. When he realises that Essendon are going to win a clearance outside of his general vicinity, he bolts forward. He has a knack for finding the open space ahead of the ball. Again, he creates match up problems when he does this as he usually gets picked up by a small defender on the way through. This is how he gets four shots at goal a game. But you don’t see this type of running the other way. Sometimes, he goes too early and leaves his direct match up free on the counter attack. It’s not the in close stuff that he is poor at – he averages four tackles a game. It’s more so his defensive spread once the ball leaves a contest. The positive sign is that he’s improving and Stringer shows glimpses of unselfishness. It’s just not consistent.




But that’s the thing with Stringer. When he’s in this kind of form, you take the very good for the somewhat bad. Essendon have defensively capable midfielders in Merrett, Parish and Langford (when healthy) to minimise some of the cracks left by Stringer’s defensive deficiencies. On the other side of the ball, Essendon get one of the most damaging goal kicking midfielders in the AFL who punishes teams that give him space. To Stringer’s credit, neither North or Essendon players stood up and kicked the important goals when required except for Stringer. Stringer took on the responsibility and kicked all of his goals. No one can deny that he is a great finisher.

Can a player that has clear flaws be a top 20 player in 2021? Absolutely. Does that mean he is one?


Probably not – although he’s close. Without doing my list extensively (Would people like this done with detailed analysis? Let us know), he probably sits around the late 20’s / early 30’s mark. The volatility in his performances game to game (although he’s been more consistent this year) and the fact that he’s missed 5 games doesn’t help his case. He’s also never finished within the top 10 of Essendon’s B&F although voting systems within internal B&F’s can be quite arbitrary and that result should change this year.

However, the season isn’t over. And Stringer’s last five games have been as impactful as any player in the AFL. If Stringer isn’t kicking his two goals a game, he’s getting 20+ disposals and generating meaningful offensive drive with his high inside 50 numbers. If he struggles to find the football in the midfield (as on the weekend), he pushes forward and puts himself in dangerous positions to kick goals. When fit and firing, Jake’s a headache for opposition teams.

What he’s worth is another question all together. He isn’t revered as an A grade footballer given his inconsistencies year to year. The consistency has been there this year but it’s directly correlated to his fitness. If that fitness goes, all of a sudden the lack of defensive work rate becomes a major liability without the goal kicking rewards. That makes him impossible to value because he’s such an unknown commodity with incredibly volatile upside AND downside risk. Regardless, Stringer’s a match winner evidenced on the weekend. Match winners are few and far between and are well compensated in the AFL.

With all of this, Stringer is legitimate and is an important piece to Essendon’s puzzle. Maybe not now, but he may very well be a top 20 AFL player by the end of the year. Let that sink in.

Let us know if you agree.
 
Last edited:
un_eggs said:
Is he as worthy as Greene for an AA guernsey now? Tippa's was in the team half way through the season and Stringer might be the one to replace him.
Click to expand...
He needs 40 goals and to bump his average up to 18 disposals IMO. Which means he needs to average 22 and 2.2 over the last 5
 
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Traded #25: Jake Stringer - 📦 Traded to GWS for Pick #53 - 16/10

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